Body art is a way to stand out from the crowd and although it might seem like a modern thing, it’s actually been around for donkey’s years, we are going to be talking about tattoos. 

The word Tattoo comes from the Samoan word “tatau” which imitates the sound of the tools when doing a tattoo on someone.  

Tattoos throughout history have been used to mark and identify social status, rank, skills,  association with a tribe and even to gain protection from spirits! 

The oldest tattoo in the world was found on a mummy in the Italian Alps dating back to 3270 BC.  According to historians, there is also evidence that tattoos were done on women by women as far back as 2000 BC in Ancient Egypt and they were used to mark their fertility. 

So how did Tattoos travel through time and end up becoming so popular? Well, it has a lot to do with Captain James Cooke. On his voyage to Polynesia in 1769, he was intrigued by all these “drawings” on people’s bodies. Tattoos were a prominent part of Polynesian people’s lives and “painted people” were everywhere. 

QUICK FACT: 

Have you ever thought about how tattoos were done in ancient times? Pieces of bone were used to chisel into the skin - making a wound. Black soot was then rubbed into the wounds,  leaving a permanent mark. 

Let’s get back to Captain James…

Once his voyage in Polynesia was over, Captain James Cooke decided to take a tattoo-covered Tahitian man called Omai back to Europe with him. Now, of course, people were intrigued by Omai, to say the least, and he did in fact become quite a celebrity in London!  It was the beginning of the European tattoo era. 

Tattoos became increasingly popular in the beginning with sailors as they used them to document their voyages, their achievements or to bring them luck and protection on their voyages. 

Tattoos are a way to be individual and different. In the 1960s and 70s, they were associated with being rebellious and pushing boundaries. Nowadays, I think things have moved on and they have become a prominent part of mainstream society.  Rather than being about rebellion, nowadays they are a way for people to express their creativity and individuality.

The styles of tattoos have evolved over the years. You can have anything from a tribal tattoo to a watercolour tattoo of your granny. Just make sure you are very sure about what you have tattooed, we certainly don’t want any tattoo regret. 

Tattoo Regret

Do you know the top reasons people regret the tattoos they have? 

* Changing tastes - perhaps what you like when you are younger isn’t the same as when you are older. 

* Social stigma - in some professions there is still some social stigma associated with tattoos.

* Impulse - Getting a tattoo might have seemed like a great idea when you were three sheets to the wind last Saturday night but on sober reflection…

* “I love Mandy” -  here today, gone tomorrow. You loved Mandy once, but it wasn’t meant to be. However, she’s left her mark on you. Forever!

* Untalented tattoo artists - They are not all at the same level. You go into the shop asking for a tattoo of your name in Chinese and come out of the shop with “Chicken Noodle Soup” written on you. Forever. The Chinese people laughing at you FOREVER. And what about those who ask for a picture of Marilyn Monroe and come out of the tattoo shop with a picture of Marilyn Manson…?

Idioms 

For donkey’s years - For a long time

To be three sheets to the wind - to be drunk

* A blank canvas: Something or someone that is ready for creativity or transformation.

I’m really excited about this new project, I have a blank canvas to work on as long as I respect the product branding.

* Tattooed on my memory: This expression emphasizes that something is unforgettable. You can use it when discussing significant life events commemorated with tattoos. For instance,

"The day I graduated from college is tattooed on my memory forever."

* Leave a mark: This phrase means to make a lasting impression. It can be used when talking about the impact of tattoos on a person's life. For example,

"Her tattoo left a mark on her life, reminding her of her journey."

Grammar Clinic

The Passive Structure of "Having Something Done":

This passive structure is used when someone else does an action for you, typically by a professional. What's intriguing is that we often don't specify who performs the action explicitly because the structure itself implies it.

Let's compare it to the more active "to do" structure:

* "To do a tattoo" implies that you, the speaker, are the one drawing the tattoo on someone.

* "To have a tattoo done" shifts the focus to a professional drawing the tattoo on you, with the performer often left implicit.

For instance, many years ago, when I walked into the classroom with a fresh haircut, my students would say, "Christine, you've cut your hair." My response would be, "Um, no, I didn't cut it myself, but I have had my hair cut. I went to the hairdresser's and paid to have it cut."

So, when I say to you, "I'm going to have a tattoo done".

Who is going to do the tattoo? Do I do it myself, or do I got to a professional?

I go to a professional.

We also use "to get something done." This phrase often implies that you played a role in organizing or arranging for something to be done, not necessarily performing the action itself.

Examples:

* "She got the mechanic to look at her car."

* "I got my new driving license issued."

That’s all folks! Thanks for reading / listening! Enjoy your weekend. Please remember to like and share!

Happy Englishing!

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